Yves Saint Laurent's Final Moment

Yves Saint Laurent
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Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé spent 50 years compiling their art collection. An eclectic mix of styles and periods the collection has been cited as 'the last flicker of a long heritage of French taste, now faded.' by gallery owner Nicolas Kugel. Most of the collection will be up for auction, including 'looted' Opium War sculptures, during a three day event starting February 23, 2009 at the Grand Palais. Labeled the 'sale of the century' by Christie's, it will include over 700 lots worth an estimated $250 million to $380 million. Bergé acknowledges that 'the collection would not be truly complete until the hammer fell on the last lot.' The auction catalogue can be purchased here.